New Delhi: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday issued directions to Delhi and other NCR state govts to carry out the proper identification, categorisation, demarcation and fire-risk assessment of all landfill sites and dumpsites in National Capital Region. It also asked them to adopt preventive measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras and methane gas detectors.CAQM asked agencies in NCR to carry out extensive bio-mining or bio-remediation in the landfills or dumpsites to liquidate the legacy waste as per the targeted timelines already submitted to Supreme Court. It also asked them to ensure adequate firefighting arrangements are made at all sanitary landfills and dumpsites. “Ensure adequate storage of sand/chemical fire extinguishing means for immediate action, whenever initiation of fire is sensed, besides dedicated fire tenders and other fire safety measures, specifically during the summer season, which is more prone to SLF and dumpsite fires,” said CAQM. The commission also directed the agencies to provide personal protection equipment to all workers at the site and impart training periodically to the workers towards detection and control of fire.CAQM asked agencies to ensure the collection, segregation, transportation and processing of municipal solid waste in accordance with Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. It directed them to conduct regular patrolling by enforcement teams towards the prevention and control of open burning of waste.In a separate direction, CAQM asked for brick kilns located in the districts outside of NCR to co-fire paddy straw-based pellets, setting a deadline of co-firing 50% of such pellets by Nov 1, 2028. The deadline is 20% co-firing of paddy straw-based pellets by Nov 1, 2025, and 30% by Nov 1, 2026.“CAQM has directed Haryana and Punjab govts to mandate the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets/briquettes in all brick kilns located in the districts beyond NCR, as one of the means towards the elimination of the practice of open paddy stubble burning,” the commission stated.
